Warren Democrats endorse Murphy for governor

Photo by Daniel Freel/New Jersey Herald - Phil Murphy, candidate for the Democratic Nomination for New Jersey Governor, speaks to the Warren County Democratic Committee on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Draught House in Washington Township.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -- Phil Murphy, one of six announced Democratic candidates for New Jersey governor, emerged with the endorsement of the Warren County Democratic Party following the party's county convention on Sunday.

Murphy, of Monmouth County, was among four candidates who appeared before the committee's members, receiving 44 of the 67 votes cast. Assemblyman John Wisniewski received 22 votes, while Mark Zinna of Tenafly, received one vote.

Party Chair Tom Palmieri said Murphy's name will appear on the June 6 primary ballot with the county's endorsement. Murphy, a financier, was an ambassador to Germany in the Obama administration.

In addition to Murphy, Wisniewski and Brennan, candidate Mark Zina also spoke to the approximately 150 people who attended the nominating convention at the Draught House.

Not attending were candidates for governor state Sen. Raymond Lesniak and Jim Johnson.

Palmieri said this was the largest endorsement convention in at least the past two decades in Warren County. In 2013, he said, the county committee had 24 elected members. This year, there are 91 members.

He said a sure sign of the party's growth is the fact that there are four announced candidates seeking the two Democrat lines on the November ballot for Assembly from the 24th District.

While several candidates in the June primary attended the convention, the only election for an endorsement was in the governor's race.

The chairman said with the endorsement, the committee is saying "We believe in Murphy" and will work to help him win the primary.

Bruce A. Scruton can also be contacted on Twitter: @brucescrutonNJH or by phone: 973-383-1224

Editor's Note: The original version of this story incorrectly listed the votes tallied for Democrat candidates for New Jersey governor at a Warren County Democrat county committee meeting. Phil Murphy, of Monmouth County, received 44 votes; Assemblyman John Wisniewski received 22 votes; and Mark Zinna of Tenafly, received one vote.